Asante Kotoko were beaten by Al -Hilal Omdurman FC of Sudan 1-0 at the Accra sports stadium on Wednesday afternoon during the first leg of their First round tie.
The last time the Porcupine Warriors lost a continental game on home soil was about five and a half years ago against Algerian opposition MC Eulma in the 2015 CAF Champions League. The Algeria – who were relegated from the Algeria professional league of the 2014/15 season – recorded a shocking 2-1 victory of the Kotoko team then managed by David Duncan on 5 April 2015. In that game , striker Obed Owusu put Kotoko ahead at the Babayara stadium – fully packed with spectators – in the 41st minute but Walid Derrardja and Fares Hamiti scored a goal each in the second half to win the game.
The second leg in Sudan will be played between January 5 and 6 next year but Kotoko know that to look for qualification in Omdurman is not impossible but a herculean task.
Substitute Viny Bongonga came off the bench to score the only goal of the game in the 76th minute as the visitors – who had 60% of ball possession – went ahead to protect their lead till full time.
The Porcupine Warriors have now won just a game out of seven competitive matches this season and lie 7th on the Ghana Premier League standings.
